Orioles offer 3 year deal to Paul Byrd

[riverside sluggers]

Report: Orioles make offer to Byrd

By Jeff Seidel / MLB.com

 

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles have turned their sights toward starting pitchers, reportedly offering a contract to free agent Paul Byrd, who played for the Angels last season. The Baltimore Sun reported on Sunday that sources with knowledge of the negotiations said that Baltimore has offered Byrd a two-year deal with an option for a third season. The Sun said the deal is believed to be worth somewhere between $10 million and $13 million.

 

Byrd, who will turn 35 on Saturday, went 12-11 with a 3.74 ERA last year with the Angels, who lost to the Chicago White Sox in the American League Championship Series. He is 72-64 with a 4.23 ERA in 10 Major League seasons. He pitched for the Mets, Braves, Phillies, Royals and Braves for a second time before siging with Los Angeles last offseason. The Orioles spent last winter looking for a more experienced starter to support their group of young starting pitchers, but never got one -- and they're looking once more this offseason.

 

Orioles executive vice president Mike Flanagan told The Sun that the Orioles have talked with Byrd's agent, Bo McKinnis, but did not confirm or deny that an offer was made. The Sun also said that the Orioles are going to go after Nomar Garciaparra, a shortstop who finished last season playing third base, and catcher Ramon Hernandez. The paper also reported the Orioles will take a shot at starter Kevin Millwood, regardless of what happens with Byrd, and have talked with first baseman Paul Konerko's agent.

 

The Orioles also appear on the verge of losing closer B.J. Ryan, who has reportedly agreed to a five-year, $47.5 million deal with Toronto. They would then have to decide who to go after or if they're confident in giving Chris Ray the job. Team officials have said in the past that they'd rather wait another year or two before making Ray the closer.

[jimmycarter05]

thats kinda weird to go after Hernandez and nomar, unless they're gonna make one their DH or something

[26 to 6]

thats kinda weird to go after Hernandez and nomar, unless they're gonna make one their DH or something

I dont see how thats weird, they both play different positions. They could play Mora in the outfield, Nomar at third, Hernandez behind the plate, and Lopez at DH. OR alternate and whatnot.

[schillingouttheks]

How much longer do the O's have Javy under contract?

[26 to 6]

How much longer do the O's have Javy under contract?

I believe his contract was 3 or 4 years (which he signed prior to '04). I could be wrong though.

[whereisnomar]

Can you imaging Nomar, back in the AL East? That would be pretty cool... image this:

 

Schilling goes out for the 7th inning against the O's, and for the final out of an awesome inning, and in the final pitch of his night, strikes out Nomar on a nasty splitter...

 

I think that would be so cool.

 

That is... if Schilling can ever be Schilling again...

[26 to 6]

Can you imaging Nomar, back in the AL East? That would be pretty cool... image this:

 

Schilling goes out for the 7th inning against the O's, and for the final out of an awesome inning, and in the final pitch of his night, strikes out Nomar on a nasty splitter...

 

I think that would be so cool.

 

That is... if Schilling can ever be Schilling again...

I think it would be cooler if Nomar knocked it out over the Monster.

 

I always root for the former Yankees to hit homers when they come back.

[yankeessuck013]

I think it would be cooler if Nomar knocked it out over the Monster.

 

I always root for the former Yankees to hit homers when they come back.

 

but not against the Yankees...of course.

 

back to the byrd issue, I'm sure Lee Mazzone being there will factor into his decision.

 

He's in his mid-thirties, and he has a decent ERA. But 10-13 Million does seem a bit on the high side.

[26 to 6]

but not against the Yankees...of course.

 

back to the byrd issue, I'm sure Lee Mazzone being there will factor into his decision.

 

He's in his mid-thirties, and he has a decent ERA. But 10-13 Million does seem a bit on the high side.

Nah, against the Yankees. I was at Tino Martinez's first game back at Yankee Stadium when he was with the Cardinals (also happen to be Clemens' 300th win, how lucky was I? I bought those tix in January to see Tino) and was rooting for him to homer off Clemens that night (but I wanted it to be the only STL run, so that Clemens could get the win).

 

Of coarse he got his homer the next day.

 

Next year, when Bernie comes back, i'll be pulling for him too to hit a homer. One homer isnt going to kill us.